Over the last four years, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and two of his closest allies on the Los Angeles City Council have seen their political fortunes follow a steady upward trajectory.
As the mayor pushed plans for nearly tripling trash fees, hiring 1,000 new police officers, gaining control over the Los Angeles Unified School District and building a "Subway to the Sea," two of his most unwavering supporters were Councilman Jack Weiss and Councilwoman Wendy Greuel.
Now, as Villaraigosa seeks reelection, the mayor's two allies have launched campaigns for the other two citywide offices on the ballot, with Weiss running for city attorney and Greuel seeking to become city controller.
If all three win March 3, the Villaraigosa-Weiss-Greuel troika would usher in a major change in mood from the current environment at City Hall, where the three citywide-elected politicians have eyed each other warily.
City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo and City Controller Laura Chick have been battling in court over Chick's push to audit a workers' compensation program. Villaraigosa has vetoed at least two proposals from Delgadillo, who in turn has complained that the mayor's efforts to cut his budget have threatened public safety.
The prospect of much closer ties between the three citywide elected officials has emerged as a campaign issue, with rival candidates warning that a victory for all three would leave City Hall without checks and balances over its three most powerful political posts.
"What you need is a lion at the gates, not a lap dog," David Berger, a candidate for city attorney, said at a candidates forum. "And if you get Jack Weiss . . . you'll get a rubber stamp for everything his best buddy, the mayor, wants him to do."
In the controller's race, challenger Nick Patsaouras offered a similar argument: "It's very apparent that Wendy is part of the inner circle, which will cloud her judgment and compromise her independence," he said.
Despite the criticism, the mayor and his two allies have pulled far ahead of their opponents in fundraising, collecting a combined $5.2 million so far.
The Los Angeles City Charter -- a governing document approved by voters in 1999 -- was designed specifically to ensure that each citywide office holder is a check on the other, said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Irvine's School of Law.
